about us

Today, economy is known as the main wing of economic and cultural development in all over the world. Nevertheless, every country tries to take a step in the road towards the industrial and economic development and promote its trade and commerce in the national, regional and international levels. OIC in line with the abovementioned goal and through inspiration from the idea of the "Unity of Muslim World", aiming at the promotion of regional, religious, economic and political convergences has launched its activity since 1962. From the very beginning, the organization has continuously taken into consideration the promotion of the commercial and economic relations among Member States in line with providing the possibility of stable and multi-lateral development. Therefore, the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) has been established as the economic wing of the OIC since 1977. The Islamic Chamber from the very beginning of its establishment has concentrated on strengthening closer collaboration among OIC countries in fields of trade, commerce, insurance, shipping, banking and promotion of joint ventures in the Member States. The Chamber is composed of three main bodies: 1- General Assembly 2- Executive Committee 3- Secretariat, among which the General Assembly is the supreme authority.

Objectives:

· To provide businessmen, industrialists and manufacturers with information in identifying joint venture projects within the framework of priorities defined by OIC Action Plan;
· To deploy economic delegations to Member Countries to contribute businessmen to bridge information and communication gap and to achieve up to date and distinct knowledge about socio-economic potential of Member States. Moreover; to discuss ways and means for pooling all resources available in their countries;
· To organize meetings of private sector in line with bringing representatives from private sector to strengthen cooperation among Member States;
· To make effort in order to develop the Intra-Islamic Trade through disseminating information on commercial and industrial opportunities available in such countries by providing them an integrated, computerized network.
· To assist project sponsors of developmental plans in Member States in order to identify the potential cooperation partners from other Member States and to prepare the Feasibility Report;
· To coordinate with Islamic and other international financial institutions for technical and financial contribution to be provided to feasible joint venture projects agreed on;
· To provide arbitration, reconciliation and satisfactory settlement of misunderstanding and disputes among businessmen and enterprises in Member States;
· To encourage the exchange of expertise and transfer of technology and knowledge among Islamic Countries;
· To hold workshops and training programs in the less developed Islamic countries with cooperation of Associations, Funds, and relevant governmental Agencies in Member States through Memorandum of Understanding, signed with them;
· To Extend services to introduce business communities in through arranging the exchange of visits among Member States; In view of the importance of regional cooperation within economic blocs and considering the role of such collaborations to move wheels of global economy, today Islamic countries that have devoted more than one-fifth out of the world population and a considerable amount of global natural resources enjoy a vast potential to change to an economy power in international level.
In order to promote intra-governmental and regional convergences among Member States of Islamic Chamber and in conformity with decisions made in the 8th Session of Heads of OIC Countries held in1997 in Tehran and following the Doha deliberation 37/9 ?E (15 ) held in Qatar on creation of an Islamic Common Market as agreed upon between H.E. Ali Naghi Sayed Khamoushi , President of the Iran Chamber of Commerce ,Industries and Mines and H.E.Aqeel A. Al-Jassem , Secretary General of the Islamic Chamber , arrangements have been taken to establish "The Islamic Chamber Research And Information Center " and later on the relevant agreement has been signed in between of two parties on October 6,2003 .

The mentioned Center has been established to tackle one of the existing problems in Islamic communities which makes slow down the development of joint cooperation in economic , commercial and industrial fields caused by shortage of information on commercial opportunities , Cods of Trade and Commerce , potential partners and proper fields to investments in Member States .

In line with the establishment of successful communication in commercial and economic field both in regional and global scale , today Information and Communication Technology (ICT) considered as one of the basic strategy to achieve this objective in a way that without having the feasibility and knowledge of the application of hard wares and soft wares of IT, the stable economic-commercial development in a rapid atmosphere of global competition can not be achieved . Therefore one of the objectives of ICRIC is to promote the application of ICT and e-commerce in Islamic Countries .

The Islamic Chamber Research And Information Center is the first member family of Organization of Islamic Conference ( OIC ) and its affiliated organizations which its Headquarter is hosted by/in Tehran , IR of IRAN .

Boards of Directors :

The Boards of Directors of the center is composed of the following 9 representatives:

Chairman : President of Iran chamber
Vice Chairman : Secretary General of Islamic chamber
Vice Chairman : Director General of the Center from ICCIM
Members : Three representatives from IR of Iran chamber and three from National Chambers of OIC
Member States appointed by the General Assembly of the Islamic Chamber .
The representatives from Malaysia , Egypt , Jordan , have been appointed for a four-year term as members of Boards of Directors in the meeting of General Assembly held in Abu-Dhabi .

The center shall undertake researches and all efforts in the following areas :

1- To identify and analyze challenges and opportunities in the domain of trade and investment ,information technology and e-commerce ;

2- To support small and medium size enterprises in Islamic countries in order to overcome such
3- To organize seminars , workshops and training programs on changes related to new trends in the World Trade System ;
4- To design training programs for ICCI in different sectors based on the actual needs and requirements of Member States to improve efficiencies of small medium size enterprises ;

5- To collect , compile , analyze and disseminate trade data among Islamic Countries as well as setting up an economic data bank in such countries ;

6- To develop and consolidate the relation ship between the Center and training institutions , consultancy centers , universities and other relevant institutions to benefit from their experiences in various fields of research and education ;

7- To publish and disseminate reports , booklets and books on various mentioned subjects ;

8- To study , analyze Rules of Membership in WTO and active participation in relevant discussions in order to take a unified strategy among OIC and other developing countries in this regard ;

9- To perform assignments suggested by the Secretary General of Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry according to the approved budget of The Center ;

10- To undertake studies and researches for project sponsors and entrepreneurs in OIC Countries for implementation of their joint venture projects by inter-alia , preparing the necessary documents and feasibility studies in conformity with guidelines of IDB ;

11- To undertake studies and researches on the strategies for the establishment of Islamic Common Market ;

12- To contribute to studies on the potential areas for development of cooperation in tourism in OIC Countries ;

13- To prepare studies on proposals to apply modern research methods to tackle economic problems in OIC Countries and provide them with solutions ;

14- To help entrepreneurs through ICCI , to equip with technical skills and knowledge on marketing in different fields of industry ;

15- To conduct surveys to determine potential areas of competitive advantage in different sectors in OIC Countries for contributing to socio-economic growth of Islamic Countries;

16- To publish and disseminate results of the Center in OIC Countries .The Center shall establish close linkage with economic organs of Islamic Countries to further its objectives.

MECCAward Regulation

MECCAward quality scheme was first proposed by a group of senior assessors from Iran's National Quality Award (INQA) to Islamic Chamber of Research and Information Center (ICRIC) in 2006. Following the negotiations made with other members of Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI), the award was finalized in September 2006. ICRIC has been henceforth assigned as the executive director of the Award. MECCAward Secretariat is located in, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran.

MECCAward objectives
1. To perform a leading role in enhancing the efficiency of Islamic countries organizations.
2. To take advantage of the Muslim world potentials to develop and advance excellence culture.
3. To encourage organizations to perform self assessment operations, using experiences of qualified Islamic organizations in order to recognize their own merits as well as needed improvements.
4. To improve Muslim-country organizations' competitiveness in international trading and to increase their compatibility with global markets.
5. To improve quality and productivity levels and to achieve sustainable economic progress among Islamic countries.
6. To recognize and praise the most successful organizations of Islamic world.
7. To promulgate Islamic values in business and at international levels.
Content of this manual as included below contains the guidelines for celebrating the first round MECCAward:

Definitions and scope:1. Definitions:
Muslim Excellence Competitiveness Corporation Award abbreviated as MECCAward is an award granted on the basis of the contents of this manual and its instructions. The award is offered by Islamic Chamber of Research and Information Center (ICRIC) to qualified organizations possessing the requirements set by members of Islamic chamber (according to No.3 classification of the Award) and held each year on the holy day of prophet's Mabás.

2. Decision making reference:The MECCA ward Governance Board is the highest decision making sector, the members and duties.

3. scope and award levels: All organizations and economic agencies registered in ICCI can request for the award. The award is performed for 2 groups of large organizations and economic agencies having more than 150 personnel and those having less than 150 personnel.

5. MECCA Excellence Levels:Different Levels of MECCAward Excellence distinguish companies according to their achievements in excellence and demonstrate that to what extent the companies are successful to achieve exellency. Excellence levels, according to records ratified by experts committee at the beginning of each period are as follows:

MECCAward winners that include three levels listed below:

A. GOLDEN prize: the winner is chosen among the candidates of each level. Candidates, who achieve the highest score, are chosen as the role model at the level of Islamic countries and will receive The Golden award.
B. SILVER prize: between the candidates at each level, those known as the role model and achieve a higher score than set point will receive the prize.
C. BRONZE prize: Applicants who have applied the organizational model completely and have obtained an incessant improvement in a specific period are entitled as the winner of Bronze prize.

certificate of Recognized for Excellence:Those applicants who have achieved some improvements in organizational excellence with a good management system, if attain a better score than set point, are qualified to receive the certificate of recognized for excellence.

Certificate of committed to excellence:
Is assigned for organizations that hold training courses and perform self-assessment procedures properly and put their commitment into the practice.

Note 1: participation of winners of golden prize is forbidden for the next three years to pave the way for other applicants and give them a better chance of winning the prize.
Note2. All winners of GOLDEN, SILVER and BRONZE prizes are allowed to announce their achievement in less than three years from thetime of being entitled as a winner. In this case, they should also mention the exact date of their attainment.

6. MECCAward grant period :The award grant ceremony is held annually and the prize will be offered to applicants assessed based on this manual and award time table.

Note: applicants of level 2 and 3 in Act.5 of this manual are not compelled to observe MECCAward time table's regulations and can present their application request to the secretariat whenever they want.
7. MECCAward time table : the time table of award grant in each round is prepared by expert committee and will be approved at the first meeting of governance board.

A) Board members
Governance Board members include 5 ICRIC representatives chosen by the present manager. Considering the head of governance board, this committee consists of six members.

Note.1. ICRIC's present manager is appointed as head of governance board and ICRIC's executive manager.

Note 2. the executive manager of the award is chosen by the Governance Board.

Note 3. Meetings are held and organized by MECCAward secretary. Governance Board meetings are formally hold by the presence of at least two third of the members. The regulations approved by governance board can be applied with maximum members vote.

Note 4. In case the present manager isn't a member of the board, he will become a member by the approval of board members.

B) Duties and responsibilities:MECCAward Governance Board which whose responsibility is to watch over the exactitude of MECCAward grant ceremony, holds a meeting at the beginning of each period and checks the following issues:

1. Listening to analytic report of previous period presented by the MECCAward secretariat.
2. Verification and approval of operative affairs time table in current round presented by steering committee and award secretariat.
3. . Approval of the main and subordinate assessment criteria and their points for current round.
4. Approval of score limits pertaining to each excellence level for current round.
5. Approval of standards and methods for choosing assessors criteria and assessors qualifying procedures and senior assessors and finally choosing them for current round.
6. Final approval of the Islamic country responsible for executing the next year's ceremony (in the following 18 months).
7. Approval of the amendments made on the Regulation and issues related to the steering committee.
8. choosing the members of expert committee and its head.

Note: holding the governance board's meeting is possible on special occasion only by the confirmation of governance board chief or head of steering committee.

2. STEERING COMMITTEEA) Committee members: This committee consists of 20 members which are chosen by the Governance Board among the representatives of Islamic country's' excellent companies from different members of Islamic conference organization.
Head of Steering Committee is elected by votes of committee member and assigned by the head of Governance board fortwo years.

B) Duties and Responsibilities

Steering Committee holds meetings every 6 months, the duties of which are as follows:

· Assigning operative policies concerning permanent secretariat’s activities, Experts Committee and award executor.
· Analyzing the executive procedures time table which has been prepared by the executer and presenting to the Governance Board to be approved.
· Solving probable problems and making needed contributions for better execution of award ceremony.
· Analyzing necessary changes in Manual and offering them to the Governance Board to be approved.
· Analyzing main and subordinate assessment criteria and the scores and the changes in reviews (defined by Expert Committee) and presenting them to Governance board to be approved.
· Analyzing the score limits of each excellence level (defined by Expert Committee) and getting them approved by the Governance Board.
· Approving the executive procedures defined by the Experts Committee to assess the applicants in different levels of business excellence.
· Analyzing the Experts Committee reports on supervision of assessor and senior assessors' performance.
· Analyzing the Experts Committee reports on supervision of applicant assessment process.
· Supervising the execution of final award ceremony.
· Checking the results of applicant's' complaints.
· Offering necessary suggestions to the Secretariat during the project.
· Preparing and offering related reports to the Governance Board.

Note 1. The steering committee in its first meeting approves the internal regulations of the Steering Committee prepared by the secretariat.

Note 2. If necessary, extra meetings will be held under the supervision of head of Steering Committee.

A) Committee members

Experts Committee consists of 15 personnel, 14 of which are suggested by the award president and chosen by Steering Committee among professors, qualified managers and experts. The head of Experts Committee is assigned by Governance Board. All members are assigned to their positions for 2 years.

B) Duties and responsibilities:

· Reviewing MECCAward timetables prepared by the secretariat and offering it to the Steering Committee for final approval.
· Applying necessary changes to MECCAward Manuel and getting them approved by the Steering Committee.
· Defining assessment criteria and criterion parts and their scores and proposing them to the Steering Committee to be approved.
· Defining score limits of each Excellence Level and proposing them to the Steering Committee to be approved.
· Defining assessors and senior assessors’ required qualifications and knowledge for Steering Committee in order to be approved.
· Documenting the executive procedures for assessing the applicants in different levels of business excellence and proposing them to the Steering Committee to be approved.
· Supervision of assessors/senior assessors’ performance.
· Supervision of assessment procedures for award applicants.
· Defining different conditions of attaining excellence award for applicants.
· Supervision on publications.
· Qualifying special centers for assessors training courses.
· Reviewing the assessment criteria after each round of awarding.
· Reviewing feedbacks, comments and complaints of the applicants and offering the results to the Steering Committee.
· Offering the necessary suggestions to the secretariat / Executive Committee.
· Preparing and offering necessary reports to the Steering Committee.

MECCAward's constant secretary is located in Tehran and is in charge of all executive procedures. Secretary Manager is the head of Steering Committee.

Duties and responsibilities:

· Holding meetings and managing MECCAward secretary and performing all related executive procedures.
· Cooperation with Experts Committee in preparing the timetable of each round.
· Preparing and editing regulations and instructions and offering them to the related bodies in order to be approved.
· Taking necessary and expert actions needed for award bodies.
· Publishing related publications.
· Arranging a public recalling to enroll applicants.
· Setting necessary arrangements for holding Governance Board meeting, Steering Committee, and Experts Committee.
· Holding training courses for assessors and senior assessors.
· Receiving needed information from applicants, classifying and analyzing them.
· Planning and sending assessors to assess applicants.
· Referring feedbacks taken from the assessments to the jury (Governance Board and Steering Committee) for making final decision.
· Preparing prizes to grant to qualified organizations (Gold, Silver and Bronze statures, certificates and letters of appreciation).
· Preparing performance report and presenting it to the steering committee.
· Cooperation with the award executer in performing the final ceremony award grant.
· Preparing time table of the next round and presenting them to steering committee.

Note: MECCA secretariat can devolve the assessment making or award granting on another governmental or non-governmental organization (as executors of the award) if approved by the Governance Board.

5) PERIODIC MECCAward executor:

A) Process
MECCAward executor is assigned 18 months before the ceremony (6 months before present round) among volunteer countries of OIC in the Governance Board meetings. All executive procedures and sub-programs like scientific conferences and qualified-organizations visits of the same country will be performed by the executor and under the supervision of Governance Board, Steering and Experts Committees.

B) Duties and responsibilities:
· Arranging executive team and assigning ceremony's executor and manager.
· Preparing operative affairs timetables and having it approved by the related organizations.
· Arranging lateral programs like holding scientific conferences and visiting successful organizations.
· Holding the awarding ceremony and lateral programs.
· Preparing and presenting performance report and offering them to the related references.

6) Internal regulations:
Internal regulations are prepared based on MECCAward Secretariat suggestions which should finally be approved by the Governance Board.
Who should apply to MECCAward?
Entry to MECCAward is open to any kind of high performing organization operating within Islamic nation. A typical award applicant should aim to reach at least the Finalist level which can be summarized as follows:

· Your most important results have been improving for 3-5 years and in some cases are best in class.

· Systematic improvement has been a way of life across your organization for at least 5 years.

· You have a number of organization-wide improvement programs integrated and deployed to your overall strategy.

· You will have assessed yourself and/or externally against the MECCAward Model several times typically also with Assessors independent from your organization.Why?

· Unique way to motivate and energize your employees at all levels in a positive and constructive atmosphere.

· The chance to find out "how good your organization really is" by being measured against World's most widely used management framework (EFQM Excellence model).

· The opportunity to receive over 40 pages of feedback on your organization, both strengths and areas for improvement, and a face-to-face interview to deepen your understanding.

· The feedback you get comes from practicing managers from a range of sectors and nationalities, they are independent from the applicant organizations and are not seeking an ongoing financial relationship with your organization.

The input

The output

All applicants need to qualify to be admitted in to the Award process, either with a qualification file for new applicants or by showing progress for reapplying candidates.
Applicants are offered two ways to enter the Award assessment and are welcomed to discuss with MECCAward on the best entry format for them at the time of application. Both ways include hosting a team of MECCAward trained assessors on a site visit.

-The Classic entry requires applicants to write a full submission document of 75 pages against the MECCAward Model. This serves as a starting point for the Assessor team of 4-8 trained assessors prior to the site visit.